Job search
8 questions
How to write a good resume?
•Maximum 1-2 pages.
•Adapt for each vacancy (keywords).
•Achievements, not responsibilities ("increased sales by 30%", not "responsible for sales").
•Reverse chronological order.
•Contacts, link to LinkedIn/portfolio.
•No photos for international companies.
•PDF format. Double-check for errors.
How to prepare for an interview?
•Study the company (product, culture, news).
•Prepare STAR stories (Situation-Task-Action-Result).
•Typical questions answers (tell about yourself, strengths/weaknesses, why do you want to work here).
•Prepare your questions (about the team, tasks, growth).
•Technical interview — practice on LeetCode, HackerRank.
•Mock interview with a friend.
How to negotiate salary?
•Research the market (Glassdoor, hh.ru, Telegram channels).
•Don’t name a figure first if possible.
•Name a range (lower bound = your minimum + 10%).
•Argue with the value you will bring.
•Negotiate not only salary (bonuses, options, remote work, training).
•Get the offer in writing. Don’t be afraid to negotiate — it’s normal.
Is a cover letter necessary?
In Russia — often not read, but it won’t hurt. For international companies, startups, creative positions — important. Structure: why you want exactly this place + what you can give (1-2 achievements) + call to action. 3-4 paragraphs maximum. Personalize for the company. Do not repeat the resume — supplement it.
Job search: how to choose vacancies and not scatter?
Regarding 'Job Search' start with a goal (what should you be able/understand) and limit the scope to 2–3 skills per week. Then establish a schedule and measure progress with small tasks.
Job search: how to prepare a portfolio and cases?
Practice for 'Job Search': use active recall (questions to yourself) and interval repetitions. 20 minutes of review every 1–3–7 days yields more than cramming.
Job search: how to safely complete test tasks?
Answer for 'Job Search': learn through projects. Choose a mini-project for 1–2 hours and bring it to completion — this quickly reveals gaps.
Job search: how to track responses and improve conversion?
For 'Job Search' it’s important to get feedback: from a teacher, mentor, or community. Without feedback, mistakes are reinforced.